Site Technical Specialist

CBRE Excellerate; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE Excellerate seeks a Data Centre Technical Specialist to provide on-site engineering leadership, ensuring safe, compliant, and uninterrupted operation of all critical electrical, mechanical and environmental systems.

You will act as the site-based technical authority, drive risk management, oversee RAMS and permits, coordinate internal and contractor teams, and support the Data Centre Manager to maintain 24/7 uptime and resilience.

Qualifications

• Recognised apprenticeship or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience in a Critical Environment (Data Centre, Hospital, or similar).
• Minimum 5 years’ HV switching experience, where applicable to site infrastructure.
• Experience at Senior Technician / Technical Specialist / Technical Manager level in a critical facility.
• Health & Safety, Risk Management, and Authorised Person training is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own and embed CERM processes at site level, conduct risk reviews and audits.
• Identify, assess, and document all critical engineering risks for electrical, mechanical, HVAC, fire, and life safety systems.
• Maintain and update the site risk register; track mitigation actions to closure.
• Ensure activities are governed by RAMS and permits to work; perform CERM audits.
• Support statutory compliance with OHSA and applicable SANS standards; advise during emergencies.

Skills

Strong technical leadership

Hands-on troubleshooting

Team leadership & contractor oversight

Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

Planning & prioritisation

Clear communication

Problem solving under pressure

Education

Apprenticeship in Electrical/Mechanical/Building Services Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Who We Are

We are the market leader in commercial real estate services and investments and provide an integrated suite of high-quality real estate services to our clients across Africa and the Middle East, including facilities management, advisory & transaction services, project management. We support predominantly corporate clients who buy services on a contracted basis all across the Middle East and Africa - even globally, depending on their portfolio.

Why choose us

Imagine more than just the future of work; with CBRE Excellerate, you can create it. As part of our global powerhouse, you'll find a culture that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset, where your best work is not just encouraged but celebrated. Collaborate with talented individuals, harness the support of unparalleled resources, and enjoy the journey as you grow both personally and professionally.

About The Role

The Data Centre Technical Specialist is responsible for providing on-site technical leadership and specialist support for a single data centre site, ensuring the safe, compliant, and uninterrupted operation of all critical engineering systems. The role ensures that all electrical, mechanical, and environmental infrastructure operates in accordance with CBRE standards, client requirements, and South African statutory regulations.
The incumbent acts as the site-based technical authority, supporting operational teams, managing critical risk, and driving engineering excellence to achieve 100% uptime and availability with zero impact to the client’s business operations. The role is hands‑on, operationally focused, and integral to maintaining compliance, resilience, and reliability of the data centre.

What You Will Bring

• Recognised apprenticeship or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Mechanical, or Building Services Engineering.
• Minimum 8 years’ experience working within a Critical Environment (Data Centre, Hospital, or similar mission‑critical facility).
• Minimum 5 years’ High Voltage (HV) switching experience, where applicable to site infrastructure.
• Proven experience operating at Senior Technician / Technical Specialist / Technical Manager level in a critical facility.
• Health & Safety, Risk Management, and Authorised Person training is advantageous.

Skills Required

• Strong technical leadership and hands‑on troubleshooting capability.
• Ability to manage and influence site‑based teams and specialist contractors.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Competent in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and corrective action implementation.
• Strong planning, coordination, and prioritisation skills.
• Clear and professional verbal and written communication.

Knowledge Required

• Expert understanding of critical electrical systems (HV/LV distribution, UPS, generators, ATS, switchgear).
• Comprehensive knowledge of HVAC and cooling plant used in data centres.
• Knowledge of fire detection, suppression, and environmental monitoring systems.
• Working knowledge of applicable South African legislation and standards, including:
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA)
• Relevant SANS standards and Codes of Practice
• Full understanding of site Statements of Work (SoW), SLAs, and client technical standards.

Behavioural Competencies

• Calm, decisive, and methodical approach during normal and emergency conditions.
• Strong client‑service orientation with high ethical standards.
• Proactive and improvement‑focused mindset.
• High attention to detail and procedural discipline.
• Ability to work under pressure in a 24/7 operational environment.

What You Will Be Doing

Critical Environment & Risk Management (CERM)
Own and embed CERM processes at site level, conduct risk reviews and audits:

• Act as the site owner of the Critical Environment & Risk Management (CERM) framework, ensuring it is fully implemented, maintained, and embedded into daily operations.
• Identify, assess, and document all critical engineering risks associated with electrical, mechanical, HVAC, fire, and life safety systems.
• Maintain and regularly update the site risk register, ensuring mitigation actions are tracked, prioritised, and closed out.
• Ensure all critical activities are governed by approved risk assessments, method statements (RAMS), and permits to work.
• Conduct scheduled and ad-hoc CERM audits and compliance reviews at site level.
• Ensure lessons learned from incidents, near misses, and RCAs are formally incorporated into risk controls and procedures.
• Support the Data Centre Manager in statutory compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable SANS standards.
• Act as technical advisor during emergency situations to ensure risks are managed without compromising uptime or safety.

Technical Operations

• Implement and maintain SOPs, EOPs, and technical standards.

Other

• Standards & Compliance
• Asset, Capacity & Spares Management
• Contractor, Change & Project Interface Management
• Incident Management
• Emergency Response & RCA
• Operational Efficiency & Value Protection
• Reporting, Training & Continuous Improvement.

CBRE Excellerate is committed to striving for diversity and equitable representation in our workforce. Preference may thus be given to suitably qualified candidates as identified in our employment equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.